Need help identifying a plant or bird? Want to take a walk through a woodland, prairie or wetland? Interested in mixing with other folks who enjoy the outdoors or, perhaps, volunteering to take children on outdoor adventures?
Connect with your local nature center. About a thousand centers are scattered about the United States and Canada. Most, but far from all, are in urban areas. Some are funded and operated by governments but many are private nonprofit organizations.
No matter how your local nature center is funded or operated it typically hires staff naturalists and educators well versed in subject areas such as local fauna and flora, geology and astronomy. A nature center is often the best place to get information about nature. Typically centers offer educational programs for families, adults and school groups. Most welcome and train volunteers for a variety of fascinating tasks.
Nature centers normally have a building, natural land bisected by trail, and a dandy website to help keep folks up to date on what’s happening outside.
Two good ways to find the center closest to you are:
The Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) has a member Reciprocal Benefits Program.
Wikipedia has a list of nature centers organized by state. Remember, anyone can add or edit which is both good and bad. Check to verify information.
